In Focus/Summer Golf Camps: Philip Reidon how kids' golf summer camps are mirroring the success of similar camps that are a a vital element of Gaelic games and other sports Summer Golf Camps: Putting theory into practice

The not-so-old master stood behind the young boy, a six-year-old with dreams, and watched as the clubface connected with the ball. Success. In his time on the European Tour, a time span of more than a decade from the 1970s into the '80s, Arnold O'Connor played with and against some of the game's greats. But, it is as a teacher of the game that his influence is most widely felt.

Countless numbers of newcomers to golf have learned from O'Connor how to grip a club correctly and to swing it effortlessly, both at Elmgreen Golf Centre near Castleknock and, also, at one of the numerous night-time courses that O'Connor has conducted for those who have come to the game late(ish) in life and who have smashed waffle balls in indoor school halls and progressed on to the real thing on the range and the golf course.

Yet, it is teaching the game to youngsters that brings a satisfaction all of its own and the hugely successful "Tiger Cubs" summer camps (recognised by the Golf Foundation) that O'Connor and his team at Elmgreen oversee is reflective of the huge strides that have been made in introducing golf to the young masses.

It is an initiative that is replicated the length and breadth of the country these days, with the biggest camp being the one that is run under the auspices of the "Young Masters Golf" programme which is based at Deer Park hotel in Howth, while the new Golf Union of Ireland National Academy based at Carton House will also incorporate a junior camp into its structures this summer.

Summer camps are relatively new, mirroring in many ways the success of similar camps that have become a vital element of Gaelic football and hurling, rugby and soccer in recent years in developing skills and wooing children to those sports. The success of the golf camps is such that, already, the first couple of weeks of the YMG camp at Deerpark - where there is also a residential option for parents and children - are virtually booked out. These camps will run every week throughout the summer until the end of August.

For O'Connor, a former Irish professional matchplay champion who has also coached a number of tour players, the Tiger Cubs summer camps - which offer places to children from aged five to 15 - is a satisfying part of his job.

"It's a fabulous introduction to the game, where the children learn the etiquette of the game, the basic rules and how to grip the club, where to aim it and how to swing and hit the ball . . . it's tremendous to see the strides that these kids can make so quickly, but it is also an excellent environment to get to learn golf," said O'Connor.

O'Connor is just one of qualified PGA professionals involved in the various golf camps, while the YMG programme also operates throughout the year at many clubs whereby young players complete one-hour coaching sessions over an eight-week period with gradings from cadet level up to master.

Indeed, many clubs are using this programme as a criteria when it comes to accepting junior members. The fact that so many of these courses are run by PGA professionals provides a certain symmetry.

Summer golf camps, though, are proving increasingly popular. Dympna Gavin, the administrator of the YMG summer camps at Deer Park, has seen a year-on-year growth to the camps which are overseen by professional Stephen Rayfus, who is attached to Balcarrick Golf Club.

"The kids love it. The enthusiasm is fantastic and, personally, it is terrific to see the young players returning year after year and watching their progress. It is really something special."

The popularity of the Deer Park camp is such that families of young players have used the camp as a reason for holidaying in Ireland.

"I know of children from the United States and the Isle of Man who attended last year," remarked Gavin, and the fact that there is a hotel on-site has enabled them to incorporate residential stays for children and parents. However, the vast majority of the 480 children who will attend the camps this summer - with a ratio of 12 children to one professional - will be from the surrounding areas. The Deer Park camps cost €170 per child per week.

These camps also complement the work of the Junior Golf Ireland programme, which is run throughout the year and is probably most noticeable at the big European Tour events in the country when free coaching clinics are held for youngsters, be it at Adare Manor or The K Club, during the tournament. The Junior Golf Ireland initiative is endorsed by the GUI, the ILGU and the Irish Region of the PGA.

Tiger Cubs camp

(at Elmgreen, Castleknock)

Approved by the Golf Foundation, these camps - with a team of professionals that includes Arnold O'Connor, Karl Kelly, Paul McGahan and Phil Ring - aim to develop a player's ability through a variety of games and teaching methods.

"Co-ordination is at the core of any sport and by introducing children to the sport through games and a self-taught mechanism, they can enjoy the camp and learn at the same time . . . our camps commence with an induction to the etiquette of the game, (which generally takes five to 10 minutes), when the rules of the camp are also outlined.

"Safety is our primary concern and children will be required to comply with the safety issues outlined by our professionals. This is followed by an indoor session of Tri-Golf, which is a mini version of golf, which involves the use of adapted equipment and a variety of games designed to provide a safe and enjoyable introduction to the sport.

"The equipment is attractive for children and enables us to introduce golf to the children in a safe and fun way. The children are taught at Elmgreen's state of the art facilities which include a 24-bay covered driving range, an 18-hole pitch and putt course, two-tiered 36-hole putting green and a three-hole golf academy."

The cost of the camp is 150.

Contact: www.golfdublin.com/tigercubs to download an application form.

Young Masters Golf camp

( at Deer Park, Howth)

Incorporating golf tuition with an end-of-week graded competition, the course covers all aspects from basic grip and set-up to etiquette and rules in a fun way. The course covers all areas of the game and ensures the children have a good grasp of all the important points relating to the game so as to ensure they have an exciting future deriving all the pleasures the game has to offer.

During the course tests are held on an ongoing basis and certificates are presented to the children and the week ends with a competition day to allow them to see the fruits of their work during the week. There are four coaches each week handling different levels from Cadet, Bronze, Silver Gold to Masters 1,2,3. for 170 per child per week with the emphasis on fun as well as skills achievement.

Courses run from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Contact: dympna@deerparkhotel.ie for an application form.

Opel Antara Junior Golf Weekend

at the GUI National Academy, Carton House

The weekend (August 25th-26th) will see golfers ranging from six to 14 in age participating in a number of challenges that include chipping, putting and driving.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be the Junior Putting Challenge, which will run throughout the two days and see more than 250 boys and girls putt their way to the top of the leaderboard. This is the only event of the weekend that requires pre-registration.

Participants can contact their local golf clubs for more information, or visit www.gui.ie There will be 10 summer camps run at the GUI's National Academy through July and August.

Contact: alan@gui.ie for application forms.